Online petition: Raise correctional officers' pay

A retired Bristol County correctional officer is taking to the Internet in an attempt to draw attention to the low working wages for the security staff at the region’s Sheriff’s Department.

Will Richmond

A retired Bristol County correctional officer is taking to the Internet in an attempt to draw attention to the low working wages for the security staff at the region’s Sheriff’s Department.

Marion DeSa, who has been on disabled-retired status for the past nine years, has started an online petition at the website change.org in an effort to seek support for increasing Bristol County correctional officers’ salaries. The petition is aimed at both Gov. Deval Patrick and Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and states that it’s been more than a decade since Bristol County correctional officers have received a raise.

DeSa said the flat-lined salaries have persisted despite assurances pay would be increased after the state took over funding the county jails two years ago, since with the change also came increases to health benefit costs.

“At that time we were told they would bring the pay up close to what the state officers get because we had to join their health plan,” DeSa said. “It’s a great plan, but it’s also way more expensive.”

DeSa said some correctional officers, including her husband, are finding it is becoming increasingly difficult to afford the benefits since pay has remained level.

“There are a lot of new people just starting out and realizing the job doesn’t pay as well as they thought,” DeSa said.

During the past month, Hodgson has threatened to close the Ash Street jail in New Bedford, which primarily serves as a regional lockup for people awaiting court appearances, due to state budget cuts to his department. In August, Hodgson also revealed that he had been lobbying state leaders in an effort to increase correctional officer pay.

Hodgson has long claimed that Patrick provides more funding to sheriff’s departments run by Democratic sheriffs while Republican counterparts are left to fend for a smaller piece of the pie.

After being online for about 48 hours, the petition had gained dozens of signatures, with 96 so far. Many of those who signed the petition and left a comment identified themselves as current or retired correctional officers.

As Hodgson has criticized Patrick for the Sheriff’s Department budget, DeSa feels there is blame that could be pointed at each side. She said personal attempts to find out why a contract for correctional officers has not been signed has led to fingers pointed at both parties.

“There’s no end in sight of these guys getting a decent paycheck,” DeSa said. “That’s why I’m hoping (people) will actually take part in this. The sheriff has done lots of great things, but it seems like he forgets his officers.”